Saturday, April 25, 2015

I love all to knit, crochet, and sew. I started knitting and crocheting during my first year of teaching in China. Knitting and crocheting became an obsession for me, and it was easy to feed that obsession. Many of the women in China knit their own sweaters, socks, mittens and thermals. Yarn was sold everywhere, and it was inexpensive. I knitted or crocheted mostly blankets and hats. But during that time, I learned skills like how to read patterns, how to do cables and yarn overs.

Start of Bees Knees Fox Scarf

Now, I've learnt to sew. I bought my machine January 2011 and began taking classes at Joann's Fabrics. However, my sewing did not take off until I took the Beginner's Sewing Class at the Stitch Lab in Austin, TX. They have a scaffolded approach to their teaching. In the first class we made a draw-string bag. By the second class we had made a zippered-pillow with piping! What a confidence boost. Not only that, but the teacher encouraged us to go home and make more. So, I did.

Craftiness is not Optional Reversible Wrap Top

Onesie made from recycled T-shirt.

I'm a sewing fiend. I love making bags. Recently I have gotten into quilting. However, I really would like to get into pattern making for clothes. But, I am taking it one day at a time. I have come this far.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

So, here I am, starting. I don't know where this road is going to lead, but I'm on it. I'm not alone.People have taken this path. They didn't know where it would lead. They just had the urge to begin the journey. They stuffed their backpacks with hopes and dreams and starting walking. Now I am giving into the urge. My bags are packed. I'm starting to walk. I don't know where this road will lead, but I need and want to take it. So again, here I am at the start--beginning.